STATEN ISLAND — The owner of a pro-Trump sign that was burned to the ground in what he calls a "hate crime" got a call from the Donald himself to thank him for his support.
"I'm proud, I'm happy, I'm honored," said sign owner Sam Pirozzolo, 52, who spoke with Republican presidential candidate Trump Monday afternoon.
“He said, 'I just wanted to say I think what you did was great, I hope you and your family are okay.'"
Pirozzolo discovered his giant "T" sign burning in his Castleton Corners front yard at 1 a.m. Sunday, according to the NYPD which is investigating the case as arson.
Trump made a surprise call to him the next afternoon, he said.
Trump expressed his gratitude then traded a few jokes with Pirozzolo and the sign's artist Scott LoBaido, who was in Pirozzolo's home at the time.
"Today, you are more popular than I am," Trump told Pirozzolo and LoBaido.
When LoBaido told Trump he planned to build a newer, bigger "T" sign, he mimicked the candidate's catchphrase, "It's gonna be yuge," Pirozzolo said.
"We could hear Trump laughing on the phone,” said Pirozzolo. “He said, 'That's great.’”
The new sign is expected to be installed in the front yard of Pirozzolo's Manor Road home Tuesday at 3 p.m., Pirozzolo said.
The incident has only strengthened Pirozzolo's support for Trump.
“The man is kind, he is a gentleman,” said Pirozzolo.
Trump representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
